Unit History: AFNORTH Kolsas

Allied Forces Northern Europe (AFNORTH) was the most northern NATO command located at Kolsås outside Oslo. It was part of Allied Command Europe from around 1952 to 2003. For much of its existence its commander was a British Army Admiral or General.

In 1993 AFNORTHs major subordinate commands were Allied Forces North Norway; Allied Forces South Norway; and Allied Forces Baltic Approaches (Karup). BALTAP comprised AIRBALTAP, NAVBALTAP, LANDZEALAND, responsible for the land defence of Zealand and the other Danish islands, and Allied Land Forces Schleswig-Holstein and Jutland (LANDJUT).

From 1962 LANDJUT had been responsible for the defence of the Baltic Approaches from a headquarters at Rendsburg, Germany. It comprised the 6th Panzergrenadier Division and the Danish Jutland Division. LANDJUT was planned to be reinforced in time of war by the United Kingdom Mobile Force, primarily 1st Infantry Brigade plus some other forces.

HQ AFNORTH Kolsaas closed on the morning of 30 June 1994. The HQ that replaced it, HQ Allied Forces Northwestern Europe (AFNORTHWEST), located at RAF High Wycombe in the United Kingdom, was activated in the afternoon of 30 June 1994. AFCENT, located in Brunssum the Netherlands, was renamed AFNORTH. AFNORTHWEST was disestablished on 3 March 2000, CINCNORTHWEST transferring his authority to RHQ AFNORTH the same day. In the year 2004, it was again renamed, to Joint Force Command Brunssum.

The headquarters facility at Kolsas is now used by the high command of the Royal Norwegian Defense Forces.

Memories of AFNORTH Kolsas

(Memories written by members of Forces Reunited)

HQ AFNORTH Kolsas Oslo Norway in 2006

Written by Bob (Nobby) Clark

Anyone about who was stationed at Kolsas HQ AFNorth Oslo between 1973 and 1976?? Those happy days in the snow and ice. All the Brit lads lived in Barracks in our block. I cannot remember who was there, its such a long time ago. I do remember doing my 'John Travolta' thingy in the Junior Ranks club there...more 'boozy times'... There wa British Army guys there, Royal Navy and RAF folks there as well. A real happy bunch...I think.

HQAFNORTH Kolsas Oslo Norway in 1983

Written by Dave Bishoprick

Being woken up ON THE BAR of the Junior Ranks Bar by the manager Gary Saturday after been left there by my so called mates, spending the night before celibrating my first born drinking Gamel Dansk !!! Horable stuff !!!!!